Chaim Bloom offers trade deadline perspective
It was maybe the biggest swing of the season. And it came after perhaps the most important conversation.
After launching a game-changing three-run homer in the Red Sox' 4-2 win over the Guardians Thursday night, Bogaerts revealed an interesting bit of information in his post-game meeting with the media.
The Red Sox have told Bogaerts he is not going to be traded prior to the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
"Yeah, I don’t know if I should say that. I hope I don’t get in trouble," said Bogaerts when asked if the Sox front office had relayed to him what it had been suggesting in the media - that a trade involving the shortstop wasn't on the table. "It’s much better like that. Communication is always huge in everything. So getting the feedback is beneficial. I would say that’s the word."
The peace of mind certainly seemed to have a positive effect on Bogaerts this time around.
With the Red Sox' offense seemingly scratching and crawling looking to find a way to manage a run against red-hot Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie (who had allowed 1 earned run in 26 2/3 innings this month), Bogaerts tore into an 0-2 pitch and gave the hosts a lead they wouldn't surrender.
It was a different image for Bogaerts, who hadn't homered since July 5. Suddenly, it sure looked like a player who was ready to put the Red Sox on his back in an attempt to actually make a run.
Was it a coincidence that he has managed a hit in each of his last six games, or that some of those hits - such as the homer - have come at the most opportune times since the team's assurance? Bogaerts suggests it is not.
"I think I started playing better after that, right? It’s a little, I don’t want to say relief is the word but obviously more relaxing," said Bogaerts regarding the front office's proclamation. "It’s not like you want to win every game on your own. We’re a whole team, everybody can win the game. But I just feel like it makes you more free. This is the first time dealing with it. I know a couple years ago with the 2020 season, I mean, COVID on its own was a distraction to that. This is my first time really, really dealing with this. It’s been up and down. But it’s been good."
OK, so Bogaerts isn't going anywhere, and neither is Rafael Devers (again, according to the front office). But what about the likes of J.D. Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi and Christian Vazquez, all of whom are in the final years of their contracts?
The de facto captain of the team sure hopes it's a group that can be added to and not taken apart.
"It has been," said Bogaerts when asked if the uncertainty heading into the deadline has been challenging. "But we’re professionals in the end. You sign up for this. You have to deal with it. This comes with it. It can be really tough. Some days more than others. Get this thing over with and keep rolling with the boys, because I know we have a lot of help coming on the way. That’s like a trade deadline on its own. You’ve got (Trevor) Story, Raffy (Devers), KIké (Hernandez) and (Christian) Arroyo not too far away. Obviously, we need J.D. back because J.D. is a game changer."
While the front office is insisting that the remaining four games before the deadline won't define which path the team takes, a good showing in the three games against the Brewers and Monday vs. Houston would go a long way toward feeling like there actually might be a chance.
Devers is slated to return Wednesday, and some of the other walking wounded won't be far behind.
They are still 3 1/2 games out of the Wild Card with a ton of American League East games to still be played. But, the message given to Bogaerts - and the message supplied by the shortstop - offered some hope that there is hope.
"First things first, he’s making a lot of money right now. But he’s locked onto this. He wants to win here," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora regarding Bogaerts. "He’s playing good defense, running the bases well, he took a few chances there at the end and he’s been very vocal in meetings and all that, kind of like, hey, let’s keep grinding. It doesn’t look great but it doesn’t look awful either. We’re right there. If you win three games in a row and somebody else loses three, it’s another one. We’ve got Milwaukee coming. We’ve got to be ready. Win the series and keep moving up."
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